Collapsible cellular carton



Nov. 29, 1955 w. H. INMAN COLLAF'SIBLE CELLULAR CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 5, 1953 110 A l v IN V EN TOR. WILLIAM H. INMAN HIS ATTORNEYNov. 29, 1955 w. H. lNMAN 2,725,175

COLLAPSIBLE CELLULAR CARTON Filed Jan. 5, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM H. l/VMAN HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent COLLAPSIBLECELLULAR CARTON William H. Inman, Newark, N. Y., assignor to BloomerBros. Company, Newark, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationJanuary 5, 1953, Serial No. 329,622

7 Claims. (Cl. 22928) This invention relates to cellular cartons of thevariety made from cardboard or other suitable sheet material, forcontaining eggs or other fragile articles, one object of the inventionbeing to provide an improved carton of the above character having a moresimple, practical and efficient construction affording a high degree ofstrength and resistance to crushing, particularly under verticalpressure on the carton or the contents thereof.

Another object is to provide a carton having the above advantages whichis capable of being readily cut from sheet material, scored for folding,folded and glued in collapsed condition, and of being easily swung toerected condition by automatic machines of known constructron.

A further object is to provide a carton of the above character having aform of construction which eliminates externally projecting supportinglegs or other irregular projections and presents smooth outer wallsurfaces when in erected condition so as to obviate entanglement withone another and to facilitate the stacking of quantities of filledcartons.

Still a further object is to provide a carton having the aboveadvantages which requires a minimum amount of material in proportion toits strength and which is capable of being readily and economicallymanufactured.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a blank of sheet material cut, scored and gluedin accordance with my invention, preparatory to folding;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the top wall of thecarton as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing the completed carton in the processof erection;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged end elevation of the erected carton, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the carton in erected condition.

This invention is an improvement on the general type of carton disclosedin my prior Patent No. 2,556,088, for the purpose of producing astronger and more practical, economical and convenient carton.

The embodiment of the present invention, herein disclosed by way ofillustration, preferably comprises a one-piece blank, shown generally at21, of carboard or other suitable sheet material, cut, scored and gluedfor folding, as shown in Fig. l. The blank is shown in Fig. l with theouter surfaces of the carton uppermost in order to more clearly show thevarious cut and score lines which form the parts of the carton,hereafter described. The blank is of generally rectangular shape adaptedto be economically cut from stock material, and comprises in order, asshown in Fig. l, a locking flap 23, cover 25, rear wall 27, outer bottomwall 29',

2v lower longitudinal partition member 31, inner bottom plies 33 and 35,upper longitudinal partition members 37 and 39, inner bottom plies 41and 43, lower longitudinal partition member 45, outer bottom wall 47, afront wall 49, a top wall 51, and an attaching strip 53.

The above sections of the blank are separated by score lines extendingacross the blank, as shown by multiple lining in the drawings, tofacilitate folding, as well understood in the art. The top wall 51 iscut and scored for the downfolding of a series of cross partitionshaving three different configurations, as shown at 55-, 57 and 59 (Fig.l), for separating the carton longitudinally into cells.

Thus, the blank is cut through along lines 61 and scored along the lines63 to permit the down folding of the cross partitions as shown in Fig.5, for coaction with a central longitudinal partition, hereafterdescribed, to divide the carton into a dozen article-receiving cells.The top wall has a series of short, transversely-extending score lines65 (Fig. 2), located adjacent opposite sides thereof, which inconjunction with score lines 63 form a series of substantiallytriangular hinge portions 67 about which the transverse partitions maybe swung to their down-folded positions, as shown in Fig. 5. Score lines63 and 65 preferably have short cuts or slits 69 (Fig. 2) formed'thereinfor decreasing the resistance to folding of the carton parts along saidscore lines.

The lower edges of the transverse partitions are preferably notched orslitted centrally, as at 71 (Fig. 2) for engagement with thelongitudinal partition. The transverse partitions are each preferablyprovided with a pair of short cuts or slits 73 (Fig. 2) which inconjunction with the central slit 71 in each partition form a pair oftabs adapted to yield slightly as the transverse partitions are swunginto engagement with the longitudinal partition to assist in thefrictional engagement between the transverse partitions and thelongitudinal partition, as disclosed in my prior Patents Nos. 2,277,327and 2,556,088. The upper edges of partitions 57' and 59 are preferablynotched or slitted centrally, as at 76 (Fig. 2), for allowing the upperportions of the longitudinal partition to extend upwardly through thetop wall when the carton is in collapsed condition as can be seen frominspection of the carton in partially collapsed condition shownin Fig.3. Each cross partition is centrally scored longitudinally of thecarton, as at 75 (Fig. 2), in addition to slits 71 therein and slits 76in partitions 57 and' 59, to facilitate the central folding of thetransverse partitions and top Wall in the collapsed condition of thecarton, as hereafter more fully described. The partitions are preferablyso arranged that, when the blank is turned over and folded, the threepartitions adjacent the right end of the blank, as viewed in Fig. 1,fold downwardly in a clockwise direction to their erected positionsshown in Fig. 5, While the remaining four partitions are arranged toswing in a counterclockwise direction to their erected positions shownin Fig. 5.

The longitudinal partition members 37 and 39 which form the uppersection of the partition are formed with cut-out portions or notches, asa 77 (Fig. 1) to provide, when erected, a series of notches in the.upper portions of the longitudinal partition. Notches- 77 are open atthe upper ends thereof and are arranged to receive the transversepartitions which swing down and engage the lower portion of thelongitudinal partition in the slits 71 thereof. Partiton members 37 and39 are separated by an interrupted score or fold line 79 (Fig. 1)extending longitudinally of the carton to assist in reversely foldingthe partition members to their juxtaposed positions shown in Figs. 4 and5. Members 37 and 39 are separated from the adjacent upper plies 35 and41, respectively, of the inner cushioning bottom sections bylongitudinally extending score lines 81 and 83.

Upper ply 35 is separated from the adjacent lower ply 33 of the innerbottom by a longitudinally-extending score line 85 (Fig. 1). Upper ply41 is similarly separated from lower ply 43 by a score line 87. Upperand lower plies 33 and 35 are preferably provided with a band or stripof glue or other suitable adhesive, as at 89 for securing the sametogether, when reversely folded along fold line 85, for forming a doublethickness inner cushioning bottom section shown generally at 91 (Fig.4). Plies 41 and 43 are similarly provided with glue or other suitableadhesive, as at 93 (Fig. l), for securing the same together, when theyare reversely folded about fold line 87, for forming a second doublethickness inner cushioning bottom section, shown generally at 95 (Fig.4).

Lower ply 33 is separated from longitudinal partition lower member 31 bya score line 97 (Fig. 1). Lower ply 43 is similarly separated fromlongitudinal partition lower member 45 by a score line 99 (Fig. 1).Partition members 31 and 45 are preferably provided with glue or othersuitable adhesive as at 101 (Fig. l) for securing the same together injuxtaposed relationship for forming the lower section or portion of thelongitudinal partition, shown generally at 103 (Fig. 4), when the cartonis folded and glued.

Outer bottom wall 29 is separated from longitudinal member 31 by a scoreline 105 and from rear wall 27 by a score line 107, as shown in Fig. 1.Outer bottom wall 47 is separated from longitudinal partition member 45by a score line 109 and from front wall 49 by a score line 111 (Fig. 1).Cover 25 is separated from rear wall 27 by a score line 113 and fromclosure flap 23 by a score line 115 (Fig. 1). wall 51 by an irregular,longitudinally extending fold line formed in part by the series ofspaced cuts 61 and in part by the series of spaced score lines 63.Attaching strip 53 is similarly separated from the opposite side of thetop wall by the respective series of spaced cuts 61 and score lines 63.

The folding and gluing of the carton is preferably done as follows: Theblank is passed through a gluing machine which applies glue or ohersuitable adhesive at 89, 93, 101 and along the upper surface, as viewedin Fig. l, of attaching strip 53, as at 117. The longitudinal partitionmembers 37 and 39 are reversely folded along the fold line 79, innerbottom plies 33 and 35 reversely folded along fold line 85 andadhesively secured together for forming inner bottom section 91, andinner bottom plies 41 and 43 are reversely folded along fold line 87 andglued together for forming inner bottom section 95. Thereafterlongitudinal partition members 31 and 35 are brought into juxtaposedposition and adhesively secured together thereby forming the lowersection 103 of the longitudinal partition. Outer bottom walls 29 and 47are folded outwardly about lines 105 and 109, respectively. Front wall49 and top wall 51 are then folded as a unit about outer bottom wall 47along score line 111, bringing the top wall into engagement with theupper portion of the longitudinal partition. Top wall 51 is thenreversely folded about score line 75, thereby swinging the rearwardportions of the top wall and attaching strip 53 downwardly over thelongitudinal partition so that when the carton is collapsed tosubstantially flat condition and rear wall 27 folded relative to bottomwall 29 along score line 107, attaching strip 53 is brought intoengagement with the inner surface of the back wall and is securedthereto by the strip of adhesive 117.

The carton is thus in substantially the condition shown in Fig. 3, butis more tightly-collapsed and is ready for storage or shipment to thepurchaser in compact, fiat condition. The carton may thereafter bereadily swung to its erected position shown in Figs. 4 and in thefollowing manner. The transverse partitions are first forced Front wall49 is separated from top downwardly into the notches 77 in thelongitudinal partition while said longitudinal partition is forceddownwardly to move outer bottom walls 29 and 47 into nearly coplanarrelationship and spread the front and rear walls, as shown in Fig. 4. Atthis point the transverse partitions are substantially horizontal andmay be readily swung to their substantially vertical erected positionsby hand, or by known erecting devices, thereby completing the erectionof the carton. Partitions 55 and 57 are preferably shaped so that thelower edges thereof engage the upper surfaces of inner bottom plies 35and 41 for holding inner bottom sections 91 and 95, respectively, intheir inclined positions, shown in Fig. 4, and for increasing thefrictional interengagement of the carton parts in the erected conditionthereof.

After filling, cover 25 is folded along score line 113, locking flap 23folded along score line into depending relation relative to cover 25.Flap 23 is provided with a series of locking hooks 119 and a tab 121which are moved downwardly into engagement with and between hingeportions 67 for securing the cover in closed position, as wellunderstood in the art.

Transverse partitions 55 and 57 are preferably so shaped that when intheir erected positions, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the upper edgesthereof are of sufficient height so as to engage and support the centerof cover 25 as said cover is swung about fold line 113 to its closedposition, shown in broken lines in Fig. 4. In addition, the longitudinalpartition is preferably of substantially the same height as the abovetransverse partitions so that it also is in supporting engagement withthe cover, as shown in Fig. 4. As a result of this construction thecarton is able to withstand heavy shocks and crushing forces withoutdamage to the contents of the carton. That is, vertical loads on thecover are transmitted directly to the outer bottom of the carton by thelongitudinal partition or through the transverse partitions and innercushioning bottom sections to the outer bottom of the carton. Lowerlongitudinal partition section 103, inner bottom sections 91 and 95 andouter bottom walls 29 and 47 form a trusslike construction ofsubstantially triangular shape, comprising in eifect two smaller,truss-like triangles, which imparts considerable strength to the upperportion of the longitudinal partition, the transverse partitions, andthrough the transverse and longitudinal partitions to the cover. As aresult of my improved construction, cartons of the above type may beconveniently stacked one upon another without fear of crushing thecontents and, as there are no depending feet, the outer surfaces of thecarton are smooth and are not likely to engage or entangle one another.

Transverse partitions 55 are provided on opposite sides thereof withsmall projecting lugs 123 (Fig. 2) which are adapted to engage the innersurfaces of the front and rear walls when the partitions are swung toerected position, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby increasing the frictionalengagement between partitions 55 and the side walls of the carton.Partitions 57 have similar lugs or projections 125 formed therein, andare provided with a pair of short slits or cuts 127 which increase theflexibility of said lugs and allow the same to bend out of alignmentwith the main portion of partitions 57 so as to provide an enlarged areaof frictional engagement between the partitions and the front and rearwalls of the carton. Each of the transverse partitions is also providedwith the pair of spaced upwardly tapered slits or cuts 73 which, inconjunction with central slit 71, form a pair of substantiallytriangular tab portions which are adapted to bend as the transversepartitions are swung into erected position.

These tab portions allow the transverse partitions to straddle thedouble-thickness longitudinal partition and serve to increase thefrictional engagement therebetween so as to more securely hold thetransverse partitions in their erected positions and thereby hold thecarton in erected position. In addition, partitions 55 are preferablyprovided with a series of interrupted cut or slit lines 129 arranged asshown in Figs. 1 and 2 for allowing partitions 55 to bow outwardlytowards the adjacent end of the carton between the front wall and thelongitudinal partition, and between the longitudinal partition and therear wall, thereby increasing the length of the end cells of the carton.

The parts are preferably so constructed that the longitudinal partitionis of greater height than the top wall of the carton when the carton isin its collapsed position, as can be seen from inspection of Fig. 3, inwhich the carton is in partially collapsed condition. That is, the upperends of the longitudinal partition extend upwardly through slits 71 inthe transverse partitions so that, upon completion of the folding andgluing of the carton, the parts are in proper alignment and there is noneed for special handling operations or special apparatus to nsure theproper alignment of the parts during the erection thereof.

Thus, it will be seen that my invention provides an improved cartonhaving inner cushioning bottom sections which support and cradle thecontents of the carton and yet which are spaced from the outer bottom ofthe carton so that shocks or impacts will be absorbed by or transmittedthrough the carton without injury to the contents thereof. As the innercushioning bottom sections may yield or how downwardly and, because ofthe resiliency of the cardboard, they form an effective resilientsupport for the contents. The cover of the carton is not only supportedalong the rear edge thereof by rear wall 27 and along the front edgethereof by front wall 49 and closure flap 23, but it is also supportedbetween the front and rear edges thereof by the upper edges of thetransverse partitions and the upper edge of the long1- tudinalpartition, thereby greatly increasing the resistance of the carton tovertical forces or impacts. My improved carton has the furtheradvantages that the above construction is accomplished with a minimum ofmaterial, and the carton is of such a type that it may be readily andeconomically manufactured and folded to collapsed condition for shipmentor storage. Thereafter, the carton may be readily erected by hand or bymechanical erecting devices to its condition shown in Figs. 4 and 5,since the top wall and longitudinal partition are continuously engagedand guided in movement upon each other.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects and,while it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of apreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure isintended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it. iscontemplated that various modifications in the construction andarrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art,within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scoredand folded to form front and rear side walls, a double thickness centrallongitudinal partition having upper and lower sections, a pair of outerbottom walls hingedly connected to said side walls along the lower edgesthereof and extending inwardly into proximity with each other, a pair oflongitudinally extending members hingedly connected to the respectiveouter bottom walls along the inner edges thereof and extending upwardlyin juxtaposed relation with each other for forming the lower section ofsaid longitudinal partition, a pair of inner bottom cushioning sectionshaving lower plies hingedly connected to said upwardly extending membersalong the upper edges thereof and extending downwardly and outwardlyinto proximity with the junction between said side walls and therespective outer bottom walls, said inner bottom sections having upperplies connected to the respective lower plies along the outer edgesthereof and extending upwardly and inwardly towards the center of the.carton, a second pair of. up.- wardly extending longitudinal partitionmembers hingedly connected to the respective upper plies of thev innercushioning bottom sections adjacent the upper edges thereof for'formingthe upper section of said longitudinal partition, said. second pair ofpartition members being hingedly connected to each other along the upperedges thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said frontand rear walls and having therein a seriesv of transverse partitionshingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between saidside walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition toprovide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells.

2. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scoredand folded to form front and rear side walls, a double thickness centrallongitudinal partition having upper and lower sections, a cover hingedto said rear wall, a pair of outer bottom walls hingedly connected tosaid side walls along the lower edges thereof and extending inwardlyinto proximity with each other, a pair of longitudinally extendingmembers hingedly connected to the respective outer bottom walls alongthe inner edges thereof and extending upwardly in juxtaposed relationwith each other for forming the lower section of said longitudinalpartition, a pair of inner cushioning bottom sections having lower plieshingedly connected to said upwardly extending members along the upperedges thereof and extending, downwardly and outwardly into proximitywith the junction between said side walls and the respective outerbottom walls, said inner bottom sections having outer plies connected tothe respective lower plies along the outer edges thereof and extendingupwardly and inwardly towards the center of the carton, a second pair ofupwardly extending longitudinal partition members hingedly connected tothe respective upper plies of the inner cushioning bottom sections alongthe upper edges thereof for forming the upper section of saidlongitudinal partition, said second pair of partition members havingtheir upper edges hingedly connected together and located in supportingproximity to said cover, and a top wall hinged to and connected with 1said front and rear walls and having therein a series of transversepartitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrombetween said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinalpartition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells.

3. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scoredand folded to form front and rear side walls, a double thickness centrallongitudinal partition having upper and lower sections, a cover hingedto said rear wall, a pair of outer bottom walls hingedly connected tosaid side walls along the lower edges thereof and extending inwardlyinto proximity with each other, a pair of longitudinally extendingmembers hingedly connected to the respective outer bottom walls alongthe inner edges thereof and extending upwardly in juxtaposed relationwith each other for forming the lower section of said longitudinalpartition, a pair of inner bottom cushioning sections having lower plieshingedly connected to said upwardly extending members along the upperedges thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly into proximity withthe junction between said side walls and the respective outer bottomwalls, said inner bottom sections having upper plies connected to therespective lower plies along the outer edges thereof and extendingupwardly and inwardly towards the center of the carton in overlyingrelation with said respective lower plies, a second pair of upwardlyextending longitudinal partition members hingedly connected to therespective upper plies of the inner cushioning bottom sections adjacentthe upper edges thereof for forming the upper section of saidlongitudinal partition, said second pair of partition memhers beinghingedly connected to each other along the upper edges thereof, and atop wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls andhaving therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connectedthereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and onopposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality ofcushioned article-receiving cells, said transverse partitions havingtheir upper edges located in supporting proximity to said cover when thepartitions are in said down folded position.

4. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scoredand folded to form front and rear side walls, a double thickness centrallongitudinal partition having upper and lower sections, a pair of outerbottom walls hingedly connected to said side walls along the lower edgesthereof and extending inwardly into proximity with each other, a pair oflongitudinally extending members hingedly connected along the loweredges thereof to the respective outer bottom walls and extendingupwardly in juxtaposed relation with each other for forming the lowersection of said longitudinal partition, a pair of inner bottomcushioning sections having lower plies hingedly connected to saidupwardly extending members along the upper edges thereof and extendingdownwardly and outwardly into proximity with the junction between saidside walls and the respective outer bottom walls, said inner bottomsections having upper plies connected to the respective lower pliesalong the outer edges thereof and extending upwardly and inwardlytowards the center of the carton, a second pair of upwardly extendinglongitudinal partition members hingedly connected to the respectiveupper plies of the inner cushioning bottom sections adjacent the upperedges thereof for forming the upper section of said longitudinalpartition, said second pair of partition members being hingedlyconnected to each other along the upper edges thereof, and a top wallhinged to said front wall adjacent the upper edge thereof and beingfoldably connected with said rear wall, said top wall having therein aseries a transverse partitions hingedly connected thereto and foldeddownwardly therefrom between said side walls and on opposite sides ofsaid longitudinal partition to provide a plurality of cushionedarticle-receiving cells, said top wall also being formed with a centrallongitudinal score line, whereby said top wall and transverse partitionsmay be folded upwardly in continuous engagement with said longitudinalpartition while said outer bottom walls are foldable downwardly aboutthe hinge connections between said outer bottom walls and the respectivelongitudinal partition members for collapsing said carton tosubstantially fiat condition.

5. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scoredand folded to form front and rear side walls, a double thickness centrallongitudinal partition having upper and lower sections, a pair of outerbottom walls hingedly connected to said side walls along the lower edgesthereof and extending inwardly into proximity with each other, a pair oflongitudinally extending members hingedly connected to the respectiveouter bottom walls along the inner edges thereof and extending upwardlyin juxtaposed relation with each other for forming the lower section ofsaid longitudinal partition, a pair of inner bottom cushioning sectionshaving lower plies hingedly connected to said upwardly extending membersalong the upper edges thereof and extending downwardly and outwardlyinto proximity with the junction between said side walls and therespective outer bottom walls, said inner bottom sections having upperplies connected to the respective lower plies along the outer edgesthereof and extending upwardly and inwardly towards the center of thecarton, a second pair of upwardly extending longitudinal partitionmembers hingedly connected to the respective upper plies of the innercushioning bottom sections adjacent the upper edges thereof for formingthe upper section of said longitudinal partition, said second pair ofpartition members being hingedly connected to each other along the upperedges thereof, and a top wall hinged to and connected with said frontand rear walls and hav- 7 ing therein a series of transverse partitionshingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrom between saidside walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinal partition toprovide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells, said innercushioning bottom sections engaging said outer bottom walls adjacent theouter edges thereof and being held in spaced relationship therewithalong the inner edges thereof by the lower section of the longitudinalpartition; said inner cushioning bottom sections, outer bottom walls andlower section of the longitudinal partition forming a relatively rigid,truss-like support of substantially triangular shape for firmlysupporting said inner cushioning bottom sections and longitudinalpartition, with a smooth outer bottom surface for said carton.

6. A cellular carton comprisilng a blank of sheet material cut, scoredand folded to form front and rear side walls, a double thickness centrallongitudinal partition having upper and lower sections, a cover hingedto said rear wall, a pair of outer bottom walls hingedly connected tosaid side walls along the lower edges thereof and extending inwardlyinto proximity with each other, a pair of longitudinally extendingmembers hingedly connected to the respective outer bottom walls alongthe inner edges thereof and extending upwardly in juxtaposed relationwith each other for forming the lower section of said longitudinalpartition, a pair of inner cushioning bottom sections having lower plieshingedly connected to said upwardly extending members along the upperedges thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly into proximity withthe junction between said side walls and the respective outer bottomwalls, said inner bottom sections having outer plies connected to therespective lower plies along the outer edges thereof and extendingupward ly and inwardly towards the center of the carton, a second pairof upwardly extending longitudinal partition members hingedly connectedto the respective upper plies of the inner cushioning bottom sectionsalong the upper edges thereof for forming the upper section of saidlongitudinal partition, said second pair of partition members havingtheir upper edges hingedly connected together and located in supportingproximity to said cover, and a top wall hinged to and connected withsaid front and rear walls and having therein a series of transversepartitions hingedly connected thereto and folded downwardly therefrombetween said side walls and on opposite sides of said longitudinalpartition to provide a plurality of cushioned article-receiving cells,said inner cushioning bottom sections engaging said outer bottom wallsadjacent the outer edges thereof and being held in spaced relationshiptherewith along the inner edges thereof by the lower section of thelongitudinal partition; said inner cushioning bottom sections, outerbottom walls and lower section of the longitudinal partition forming arelatively rigid, truss-like support of substantially triangular shapefor firmly supporting said inner cushioning bottom sections andlongitudinal partition, with a smooth outer bottom surface for saidcarton.

7. A cellular carton comprising a blank of sheet material cut, scoredand folded to form front and rear side walls, a double thickness centrallongitudinal partition having upper and lower sections, a cover hingedto said rear wall, a pair of outer bottom walls hingedly connected tosaid side walls along the lower edges thereof and extending inwardlyinto proximity with each other, a pair of longitudinally extendingmembers hingedly connected to the respective outer bottom walls alongthe inner edges thereof and extending upwardly in juxtaposed relationwith each other for forming the lower section of said longitudinalpartition, a pair of inner bottom cushioning sections having lower plieshingedly connected to said upwardly extending members along the upperedges thereof and extending downwardly and outwardly into proximity withthe junction between said side walls and 9 the respective outer bottomwalls, said inner bottom sections having upper plies connected to therespective lower plies along the outer edges thereof and extendingupwardly and inwardly towards the center of the carton in overlyingrelation with said respective lower plies, a second pair of upwardlyextending longitudinal partition memebrs hingedly connected 'to therespective upper plies of the inner cushioning bottom sections adjacentthe upper edges thereof for forming the upper section of saidlongitudinal partition, said second pair of partition members beinghingedly connected to each other along the upper edges thereof, and atop wall hinged to and connected with said front and rear walls andhaving therein a series of transverse partitions hingedly connectedthereto and folded downwardly therefrom between said side walls and onopposite sides of said longitudinal partition to provide a plurality ofcushioned article-receiving partitions are in said down folded position,said inner cushioning bottom sections engaging said outer bottom wallsadjacent the. outer edges thereof and being held in spaced relationshiptherewith along the inner edges thereof by the lower section of thelongitudinal partition; said inner cushioning bottom sections, outerbottom walls and lower section of the longitudinal partition forming arelatively rigid, truss-like support of substantially triangular shapefor firmly supporting said inner cushioning bottom sections andlongitudinal partition, with a smooth outer bottom surface for saidcarton.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,836,100 McWilliams Dec. 15, 1931 2,374,382 Rutledge Apr. 24, 19452,460,020 Lupton Jan. 25, 1949 2,634,898 Inman Apr. 14, 1953

